Motorcycle Touring Tips - Advice for Long Distance Travel

It is useful to learn some basic words - bathroom, gasoline, hotel - think of what you may need to ask for, and then with the help of a translation book, figure out the words you need to learn. We always travel with a language book, and I usually spend some time on the flight figuring out some basic words.

- Be respectful of cultural traditions.

- Learn the meaning of traffic signs.

- Obey speed limits, especially when traveling through little towns.

- If you get lost, don't panic. Be calm, use your map and find someone who is willing to help.

- Keep in mind that some gas stations in Europe use special cards, and thus are not accessible. Also, very few gas stations operate 24 hours a day.

Bob Posing for a Picture at Scenic Crater Lake

- One of my most favorite motorcycle touring tips: Stop to experience what the country has to offer. It's more than just barreling at top speed through mountainous roads. Take a train ride, spend an afternoon in a little village, stop at a few museums. Meet some locals, get to know the waitress who serves you dinner. Have your picture sketched by an artist in a plaza. You will remember these times along with those hours spent on the bike.

- Make sure that you take the right gear, including boots and raingear that you will allow you to both ride and sight see in comfort.

- Make sure that you take an International Travel Adapter Plug Set. If you are traveling in a foreign country, don't rely on the travel store salesperson to give you the right adapter. Trust me on this one.

- Travel with the basic OTC medications - anti-nausea, anti-diarrhea, analgesics, Benadryl for allergic reactions. Also check to see if you need to have any preventative medications or immunizations if traveling to an exotic destination. Dysentery can really ruin a 2 week vacation. (And always go for the bottled water - ALWAYS.)

- I highly recommend that you keep a travel journal documenting your trip and things that you want to remember about each day. Even though you believe that you will never forget your experience - trust me, you will certainly forget some of the very things that you want to remember.

A Castle In France

- Be flexible. Sometimes things just don't go as planned, but don't let that ruin the experience. As stated frequently by a very wise friend after a ride through a hail storm: "We're making memories right now."

- If you are traveling alone, make sure that you have emergency equipment, identification and contact information. It's probably a good idea to investigate some survival equipment.

- In all likelihood, you will spend months planning your motorcycle tour, and will invest some bucks. Travel Insurance Plans can provide you with coverage for unexpected medical expenses while on a trip.

- In reality, most of these motorcycle touring tips are just common sense - something that can be in short supply when the excitement of the trip overwhelms you.